All Mobile Video (AMV) has outfitted its Eclipse production truck with Bridge Technologies’ VB440 IP monitoring and analysis probe. The AMV Eclipse employs a Cisco leaf-spine network architecture based on SMPTE ST 2022-7 to provide complete redundancy and will incorporate both 4K and HDR production capabilities, Bridge Technologies said.

The Bridge Technologies VB440 sits at the heart of the truck, making it possible to monitor, analyze and visualize all high-bitrate broadcast media content as defined by the SMPTE ST 2110 and ST2022-6 standards, it said.

The VB440 supports HD, 4K, SDR, HDR and combinations of immersive audio, making it possible for AMV engineering and production teams to monitor all layers of media transport continuously on both redundancy layers in real time. The device is especially beneficial because it facilitates both technical network engineering and creative decisions in the moment, the company said.

The VB400 can be accessed by multiple users via their own, customizable HTML-5 browser- based layouts. As a result, the unit takes up much less rack and desk space. Other attractive qualities for mobile facility applications include its lower energy draw and bundling of multiple functions that normally would require individual devices, it said.

The VB440 offers a range of audio and video scopes, including HDR preview on SDR screens and 5.1/7.1 audio review across stereo as well as JPEG XS analysis and signal generation for greater setup efficiencies. The probe offers operators and engineers the deep insight needed to ensure error-free delivery of live and recorded broadcasts, according to the company.

“The VB440 probe has become the ‘go to’ tool on the truck before and during any live production,” said AMV technical supervisor Paul Butkiewicz. “We use it to sweep and compare all the devices for errors across both redundancy layers to assure device, QSFP and signal flow integrity, both before the truck rolls out of the bay and during live productions.”

“Because the Eclipse covers high-profile events, it’s critical to know when errors occur on any of our sources and remote feeds, through the use of notifications and alarms. We’ve been really impressed with the ease of integration of the VB440 and how seamlessly it has worked in our NMOS environment.”

Bridge Technologies' U.S. business partner 2110 Solutions consulted AMV and sold the VB440 to the mobile production facilities company.

NEW YORK—All Mobile Video (AMV) has selected TSL Products’ MPA 1 Mix Dante V and PAM-IP audio monitors for its Eclipse end-to-end IP mobile production unit.

AMV is outfitting Eclipse with 34 MPA 1 Mix Dante V audio monitors, which are designed specifically for production and support of the AES67 AoIP standard, the company said.

“The updated front panel is simple to navigate, especially in dark production environments, providing users with an intuitive control interface,” says Ian Vysick, audio design specialist at All Mobile Video. “With the MPA units, operators are not required to navigate a menu to access the sources they need.”

Eclipse also is equipped with TSL’s PAM-IP audio monitors, providing monitoring of SMPTE ST 2110 and 2022-6 audio and video sources and full edge device control.

“Choosing to integrate TSL Products’ PAM-IP into the new Eclipse truck was a no-brainer,” says Vysick. “Over the years, we have built a strong relationship with the TSL team and there’s a great deal of trust between us.”

Firmware updates for TSL’s monitoring products help to future-proof AMV’s investment in the monitors, Vysick adds.

More information is available on the TSL Products website. 

NEW YORK—Today’s live mobile production environments need infrastructures that are agile and scalable in order to meet the ever-increasing consumer appetite for high-quality content. As a full-service broadcast facilities company, our clients look to us to provide innovative solutions, including the newest tools to help them enhance their production capabilities and meet demands. To do this, we knew we needed to transition to IP, so we partnered up with Grass Valley to design a full IP outside broadcast (OB) unit, Eclipse. 

ADDING IP TO OUR PORTFOLIO

We had been planning for years to build an OB unit with IP technology at its core. We wanted to future-proof our offering as IP can handle much higher bandwidth than legacy SDI environments, supporting more live streams from a live event and opening up new, smarter approaches to content creation. Grass Valley is at the forefront of IP technology development, so it was an easy decision for us to choose them as a partner to design a fully end-to-end IP truck.

Our unit comes fully loaded with Grass Valley's new LDX 100 IP camera platform, delivering three-times high-speed UHD capture and full HD and UHD HDR. We also purchased Grass Valley’s Creative Grading solution bringing unparalleled creative control to camera shaders. Simplifying the IP workflow is the GV Orbit dynamic system orchestrator; using the interface, operators can easily configure and change systems on the fly. The IP workflow is supported by an IP fabric built with Nexus 9000 Series Switches from Cisco Systems, which support the latest SMPTE 2110 suite of standards. 

The unit also includes Grass Valley's K-Frame XP video production engine, with Kayenne switcher control panel; Kaleido SD, HD and 4K UHD IP multiviewers; IPVU IP to HDMI monitoring gateways; Densité and IQ Modular signal processing and conversion; and the Audio Live router for live multistream IP audio.

Eclipse gives us the ability to handle everything from HD to 4K UHD and HDR, plus the capability to scale up to 8K when needed. Our clients get much more operator space, more firepower and greater production capability all in one unit. This added free space will allow for greater distancing options for show personnel in a post-COVID production environment. What’s more, IP gives us and our customers the ability to stay ahead of a fast-evolving mediascape and we’re excited to support our clients on that journey to leveraging the full potential of IP.

A TRUE PARTNERSHIP

The biggest challenge with IP is getting control and diagnostics right. We needed a partner with great switching capabilities and tight diagnostics, and Grass Valley delivers the best solutions in those areas. That technology leadership combined with a track record of reliability and true industry expertise made Grass Valley the obvious choice for the job. 

Another key factor in choosing Grass Valley was that we wanted a partner that values a long term, ongoing collaboration. We didn’t want to engage with a vendor who saw this simply as a sales transaction. Our business philosophy is based on partnership, we ensure our customers get the best solutions and support to take their businesses forward, and we expect the same level of commitment from our supplier partners. 

Eclipse will be ready to roll out later this year, and when live events start to return in new and unique ways, it will be used to support a range of mobile productions, including reimagined major award shows, theatrical productions and other creative live entertainment events.

Eric Duke is president of All Mobile Video, and can be contacted through www.allmobilevideo.com/contact. 

For more information, visit www.grassvalley.com or call Grass Valley at 514-333-1722.  

MONTREAL—Grass Valley and All Mobile Video are riding together now, as AMV has selected Grass Valley’s IP workflows and infrastructure for its Eclipse outside broadcast truck.

The Eclipse truck will be loaded with Grass Valley’s LDX 100 IP camera platform, which will enable 3x high-speed UHD capture, as well as the Creative Grading platform for camera shader control. It will also have the GV Orbit dynamic system orchestrator, allowing for the configuration and changing of systems on the fly. The IP workflow is supported by an IP fabric built with Nexus 9000 Series Switchers from Cisco Systems.

The new AMV IP truck also houses Grass Valley’s K-Frame X video production engine, with Kayenne switcher control panel; Kaleido SD, HD and 4K UHD IP multiviewers; IPVU IP to HDMI monitoring gateways; Densité and IQ Modular signal processing and conversion; and the Audio Live router for live, multistream IP audio.

“IP allows us to future-proof our offering and adapt much quicker, plus we can offer clients much more operator space, more firepower and greater production capability all in one unit,” said Eric Duke, president of All Mobile Video, on the new Eclipse truck.

Eclipse is expected to support live productions, including events like the “Live from Lincoln Center” performing arts series and the Times Square Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve. Eclipse will launch this spring.

For more information, visit www.grassvalley.com.  

HUNTSVILLE, ALA.—All Mobile Video, a New York-based production company, is prepping for the upcoming U.S. Open tennis tournament and has decided to go with PESA’s Cheetah 288XE coax and fiber routing switcher and DRS digital audio routing system as part of its international distribution system.

AMV will use the PESA router to receive signals from the host broadcaster and distribute them to on-site and off-site United State Tennis Association clients. The production company will house the router in a trailer across from Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Cheetah router features 288 inputs and 480 outputs. During the tournament AMV expects the router to receive 90 video and audio sources from the host broadcaster, as well as more from on-site broadcasters and monitoring inputs for a total of 272 inputs. This will result in embedding and de-embedding of audio, much of which will be in MADI format. The router supports both fiber and coax I/O for cable management flexibility, and fiber sources can be connected directly to each frame.

The U.S. Open tennis tournament will begin on Aug. 29 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.